Canopy Longsword Tallahassee, FL HEMA Club
Dedicated to teaching Historical European Martial Arts in the Tallahassee Area
Canopy Longsword Tallahassee, FL HEMA Club
Dedicated to teaching Historical European Martial Arts in the Tallahassee Area
About Canopy Longsword, Inc.
Mission Statement
Canopy Longsword is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) education and instruction in Tallahassee, FL. We welcome everyone and anyone in the greater Tallahassee area interested in learning HEMA in a safe and welcoming environment. Canopy Longsword is an Affiliate of the HEMA Alliance.
What is HEMA?
Have you ever wondered how it would feel to fight with a sword, dagger, or other medieval weapon? So has everyone who is interested in Historical European Martial Arts or HEMA. HEMA seeks to recreate the martial arts of medieval Europe from a mixture of guidance from historical sources and practical experience.
Who Can Join?
Our membership is open to anyone in the greater Tallahassee area interested in learning Historical European Martial Arts. Minors are required to have parent/guardian permission to participate (parents or guardians must sign the liability waiver). Minors under 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all club events.
Our Instructors
We are lucky to have two great volunteer instructors, with lots of HEMA and other martial arts experience, Pat Thomas (our founder) and Jason Vail (author of several dagger fighting manuals and more).
When can you start?
We hold public practices for beginners on the first Saturday of each month, 10 A.M. at Grassroots Free School. The Address for Grassroots is:
2458 Grassroots Way, Tallahassee, FL 32311.
What are your costs?
Your first two months at the club are free of charge while you decide if it is something you are interested in. You will be covered by the club's HEMA Alliance (HEMAA) introductory insurance during this period.
After that, you will need to purchase a HEMAA membership at a discounted price of $26 for the year through the club. Monthly dues for members (after the two month introductory period) are currently set at $30. Families pay $30 in dues for the first adult and two minors, after that each additional minor pays dues of $15.
What do we use dues for?
Dues are used to rent practice facilities, pay club insurance, and purchase club gear. You will also need to purchase a HEMA Alliance membership through the club ($26 yearly with the club member discount). The HEMA Alliance fee covers your personal liability insurance and gets you discounts at several HEMA equipment stores. Our club is a nonprofit, and our staff is 100% volunteers. All dues and fees go to improving and supporting the club.
What do you need to bring for your first practice and does the club have gear that can be borrowed?
For your first practice, you only need to come in comfortable clothes and shoes you can move in. We have some loaner gear and extra equipment for new participants However, we recommend purchasing groin protection as soon as possible.
Before your first practice, you must review the safety policy and sign our liability waiver. You can email a signed copy of the waiver, bring it with you, or fill it out at practice.
What kind of gear will you need to get?
Review our safety policy to give you an idea of the kind of gear you will need to get eventually.
At your first practice, we will show you the gear and let you try a few different versions to get an idea of what types you like and what our club recommends. See the gear page/section for more info (under construction).
Why Should I do HEMA?
Maybe you a history buff, or just interested in sword play, or you are looking for a new martial art to try out, want a new social outlet, plan on dominating at tournaments, or just want to get some exercise. All of those are great reasons to be interested and there are many more. Come check out a practice and see if its for you. Hopefully you'll keep coming because its fun. We welcome everyone and hope to see you some Saturday!